Homemade Wine Tips for Successful Winemaking

You’ve made the decision. The equipment for your mini-winery is here and you are ready to become the next great wine sensation. But here are a few homemade wine tips before you jump in. Following this advice will not guarantee the greatest wine ever, but your likelihood of winemaking success will skyrocket. Let’s start with some sage advice from another winemaker, Paul Masson. This famous California winemaker had a television commercial around 1980, where the late actor, Orson Welles said, “We will sell no wine before its time.”

Selling your wine at this stage is not part of your thought process. However, the sentiment is one you should follow. That sentiment reflects an emphasis on taking time to make [the wine] correctly, instead of rushing. Patience is a virtue when it comes to winemaking regardless if you are a huge winery, or a home winemaker.

The Devil is in the Details

People think guys prefer to jump into a project without reading the instructions. Yes, there is some truth in that sentence. The reality is, strict adherence to instructions is crucial when making wine. A little knowledge is dangerous and often causes problems the further you get into the winemaking process. Do yourself a favor, read and follow the instructions each time until you can recite them in your sleep. The wine will thank you and so will your guests.

Homemade Wine Tips--Cleanliness

Winemaking is all about keeping it clean. Nothing will extinguish your desire faster than dumping batch after batch because the wine is bad from rushing through the cleaning process. Sanitize your equipment religiously and spoiled wine will all but disappear.

Homemade Wine Tips--Ingredients

Do not skimp on your ingredients. Cutting corners to save a buck or two seldom results in a better product. That does not mean you shouldn’t find ways to keep costs down. Just make sure the deal really is a deal. This goes for everything from equipment and cleaning products, down to the ingredients needed to make the wine you want.

Have you decided the kind of wine you want to make? Will you use concentrate or fresh? Fresh makes sense when you can purchase fresh and in season, rather than relying on products that could be weeks old. Concentrates allow you to make wine all year. The choice is yours.

Homemade Wine Tips--Temperature

Don’t get the cold shoulder or become hot under the collar. The temperature of your wine during fermentation can be the difference between success and something that you toss. Most wines ferment well in the 65°F to 75°F range.

Homemade Wine Tips--Record Keeping

No, not for the IRS; at least not yet. A friend of mine records every step he takes during his winemaking time. This action is a really good way to confirm you followed the steps correctly. But these records also help when it is time attempt a variation, but still with the goal of consistency.

Last, but not Least, Time is too Short

The biggest tip we can offer might seem strange, but you need to have fun. Life is filled with work and other time consumers that are boring, tedious, or just squeeze the enjoyment from your body. Winemaking should not have any of those descriptors attached to it. Find a different hobby if it does.

Do you have some tips and advice to share? Feel free to leave it here.